Keeneland Picks: Giant’s Causeway Stakes Analysis (4/12/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Sun Apr 12, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

Jockey Statues at Keeneland

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The racing action from Keeneland on Sunday features the Giant's Causeway Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select. @HandicappingT3 has all the Keeneland picks for the entire card!

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Keeneland Full Card Analysis

Keeneland Picks: Giant's Causeway Stakes Analysis (4/12/2026)

Keeneland Picks: Giant's Causeway Stakes Analysis (4/12/2026)

Keeneland Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:00 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

  • #5 ISADORA DUNCAN (7-2): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #8 USE ME (5-1): Contender. Comes home strong. Gaffalione and Walsh team up on this one.
  • #10 EAT HAY RUN (6-1): Contender. The 85 speed rating is among the best in the field. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #6 RULES AND REGS (4-1): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 10 – 6

The Plays

Win: #5 at 3-1

Exacta: 5 / 8,10

Pick 3 (races 1-3): #5 with #2 with #4,3,7,6,1

Keeneland Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:32 PM ET; Allowance $120k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #2 SENIOR OFFICER (1-1): Best bet of the card. Barn has been solid. Should be able to work out a trip. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #3 LONG POUR (15-1): Contender. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #5 LUCIUS VERUS (8-1): Contender. Speed figs match up nicely. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
  • #4 SARGENT SULLY (5-2): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 5 – 4

The Plays

Win: #2 at 1-1

Exacta: 2 / 3

Keeneland Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:04 PM ET; Allowance $120k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 15 runners.

  • #4 SY B (5-1): Top pick. Race may setup for this runner. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #3 MADAME SECRETARY (8-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #7 COMPETITIVE MARKET (3-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Top connections on the circuit with Prat and Brown.
  • #6 HEART SPIN (20-1): Major Player. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 7 – 6

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 4,3,7

Keeneland Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:36 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $53k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

  • #3 BACKSIDE (9-2): Top pick. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance. Race may setup for this runner.
  • #14 HARD CIRCLE (8-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Good race flow for this runner.
  • #10 FLASH OF CHAOS (4-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #7 PASS AND GO (3-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 3 – 14 – 10 – 7

The Plays

Win: #3 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 3,14,10

Keeneland Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:08 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 1 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

  • #7 BEACH BALLAD (5-2): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid.
  • #5 JUST TELL ANNE (12-1): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #3 BIRCH RUN (20-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #11 CORE MEMORIES (8-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 7 – 5 – 3 – 11

The Plays

Win: #7 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 7,5,3

Keeneland Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:40 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $130k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

  • #4 PAHOEHOE D'ORO (4-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Strong early pace figs.
  • #1 TAKE CHARGE OMAHA (3-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Gutierrez and Sims team up on this one.
  • #2 LANDED (7-5): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Could wear these ones down late.
  • #5 GOWELLS DELIGHT (9-2): Contender. Recent races are solid. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 2 – 5

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta: 4 / 1,2

Keeneland Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:12 PM ET; Giant's Causeway Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select $400k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 16 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #2 CHARLENE'S DREAM (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Race may setup for this runner. Barn has been solid. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #9 LOVE CERVERE (10-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #15 SARATOGA SPECIAL (9-2): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Berrios puts this one in with a chance.
  • #10 SATURDAY FLIRT (8-1): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 2 – 9 – 15 – 10

The Plays

Win: #2 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 2,9,15

Keeneland Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:44 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #3 BEIJING (4-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Favorable class relief in this spot.
  • #8 CIVIL LIBERTY (5-2): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
  • #6 CRITERIA (7-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Should sit a good trip.
  • #9 MARKET RUNNER (12-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 3 – 8 – 6 – 9

The Plays

Win: #3 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 3,8,6

Keeneland Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:16 PM ET; Allowance $130k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

  • #10 TENACIOUS LEADER (9-2): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Top connections on the circuit with Prat and Pletcher.
  • #11 IRON MAN CAL (3-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #5 CAPITOL HILL (5-1): Major Player. Alvarado and Mott team up on this one. Has experience at this level.
  • #9 PITKIN (4-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 10 – 11 – 5 – 9

The Plays

Win: #10 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 10,11,5

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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